This article is a translation of the following Japanese article:
Is there a relationship between frailty and dementia?
“Frailty” and “dementia” are often thought to be different things, but they are actually very closely related.
Recently
- Frailty and dementia relationship
- Frailty and dementia prevention
- Elderly frailty cognitive function
are increasing, and it is one of the
health topics that you should know about as early as.
Author: “Frailty is not only a physical problem, but also an important sign that can lead to dementia.”
Why frailty leads to dementia
When you become frail,
your body, mind, and lifestyle gradually weaken.
It is thought that by accumulating these changes,
stimulation of the brain decreases, making cognitive function more likely to decline.
① Decrease in physical activity reduces blood flow to the brain
When it comes to frailty,
- Less going out
- Walking distance becomes shorter
are more likely to occur.
Then,
👉 Decrease in blood flow and oxygen supply to the brain
👉 Decreased memory and judgment ability
It’s easy to get into a vicious cycle.
Author: “Not moving your body means not using your brain”
② Less interaction with people, less stimulation of the brain
As frailty progresses,
- It’s a pain to go outside
- It’s a pain to meet people
It will be easier to feel.
However, conversations and interactions are
very strong stimuli for the brain.
- Understand what the other person is saying
- Choose and speak the words
- Read facial expressions
When these decrease,
cognitive function becomes more likely to decline.
Author: “Reducing opportunities to speak” has a bigger impact than you think.
③ Decreased amount of food leads to lack of brain nutrition
In frailty,
- Loss of appetite
- Eating only simple meals
There are many cases.
In particular,
- Protein
- Vitamin
- Minerals
can easily affect
brain function.
Why frailty is also called a “pre-dementia stage”
Recent studies have shown that
people who are frail have a higher risk of developing
dementia than people who are not frail.
However, the important thing is that
👉 Frailty is a condition that can be improved
👉 It is also an opportunity to prevent dementia
That’s the point.
Author: “A major feature of frailty is that you can take countermeasures as soon as you notice it.”
Habits that prevent frailty and dementia at the same time
Measures against frailty can also
directly lead to prevention of dementia.
① Make light exercise a habit
- Walk
- Indoor gymnastics
- Standing down on chair
👉 Moving your lower body also increases blood flow to your brain.
Author: “Walking is the best brain training”
② Make time to talk and interact with people
- Conversation with family
- Telephone
- Shopping in the neighborhood
It’s OK even for a short time.
③ Eat well (especially protein)
- Meat, fish, eggs, tofu
- Be conscious of 3 meals a day
👉 Supports the health of both muscles and brain.
④ Adjust sleep and life rhythm
- Reduce staying up late
- Bask in the light in the morning
👉 Important for brain recovery and memory organization.
⑤ Focus on “what you can do” instead of “what you can no longer do”
Anxiety and depression make it easier to develop
frailty and dementia.
Author: “Positive feelings are the best nutrition for the brain”
It’s also important for your family to notice
It may be difficult for the person to notice the change.
- Going out less
- Less conversation
- It seems like a pain to move
If you notice such a change, it is important to
discreetly call out.
Summary | Countermeasures against frailty lead to prevention of dementia
- Frailty and dementia are deeply related
- Lack of exercise, isolation, and poor nutrition are common causes
- Frailty is a condition that can be improved
- Early action can greatly change the future
Author: “Now is the best time to take precautions while you are still healthy.”
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